Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations Announces New Head of Its Commercial Tire BusinessKurt Danielson appointed to lead U.S. & Canada commercial tire operations
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 20, 2014) ― Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) today announced that Kurt Danielson has been promoted to President, U.S. & Canada Commercial Tire Sales. In addition to his new position as President, Danielson also will assume the role of Senior Vice President, Bridgestone Americas, Inc.
Danielson will be responsible for overseeing and guiding all of BATO’s business operations within the commercial tire portfolio. In that capacity, he will guide efforts to grow market share, identify and bring to market new products and services, create business efficiencies and grow and identify talent. The position reports directly to Gordon Knapp, CEO and President, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations.
“Kurt Danielson brings a rich history, deep knowledge base and strong leadership skills to his new position,” said Knapp. “Kurt has been leading the Bridgestone Commercial Solutions team as President since 2011. Under his leadership, he has successfully overseen a smooth transition of two internal divisions while realizing sustained and solid growth in the commercial tire market. Kurt is a strong leader who will continue to guide us toward greater opportunities in the future.”
With an established career in sales and marketing, Danielson joined Bridgestone in 1994 as a Territory Manager. Since then he has served in positions of increasing responsibility with the company. Danielson earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Michigan. He actively volunteers with Hands on Nashville, helping to address critical issues facing the Middle Tennessee community such as hunger, homelessness and environmental issues.
About Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations:
Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) is a business unit of Bridgestone Americas, Inc., whose parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world's largest tire and rubber company. Reporting into the BATO business unit are the company's Latin American tire operations; the U.S. and Canadian consumer tire businesses; the U.S. and Canadian commercial tire businesses; and Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC, which operates the largest network of company-owned automotive service providers in the world. BATO develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires. The business unit is focused on retail, wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off road, motorcycle, agricultural and other tires, as well as retreads, to its customers in the Americas.